The most read Vietnamese newspaper
Edition: International | Vietnamese
© Copyright 1997 VnExpress.net. All rights reserved.
As water was raging on roads along the coast, Da Nang chairman Le Trung Chinh ordered urgent deploymment of forces to rescue people stuck in low areas.
Power outage hit many areas in Da Nang, many residents could not contact the authorities as their phones were out of batteries, which hindered the rescue efforts.
The police, military and local authorities were focusing on evacuating people in the coastal Lien Chieu District, especially children and old people.
 |
|
Police evacuate people in Da Nang. Photo courtesy of Da Nang Traffic Police Department. |
The eye of a tropical cyclone was 110 kilomerers away from Da Nang and Quang Nam at 11 p.m. with winds of up to 61 kph, traveling northwest at the speed of up to 20 kph.
According to the National Centre for Hydro - Meteorological Forecasting, at this speed, the cyclone would hit the two localities at around 4 a.m. with with winds of up to 61 kph. The neighboring provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Ngai might experience winds of up to 49 kph.
Heavy rainfall is expected in the central provinces of Quang Binh (up to 250 millimeters); Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam (up to 300 millimeters in most places and 400 millimeters in some areas). Waves three to five meters high are likely in the central region’s seas. From Thua Thien Hue to Phu Yen, sea levels could rise and damage dikes and cause floods, weather experts have warned.
 |
As the water started to recede from the Dien Bien Phu – Nguyen Tri Phuong underpass, people began to walk back home. Walking was challenging as the water was still a meter high on some sections of the road.
On Phan Dang Luu Road, a man and his son had to get off a taxi and walk for two kilometers before stopping at Le Duan Road to wait for water to recede further.
"I have been living in Da Nang for 30 years but never have I seen flood waters rise as fast and wide as this one."
At Ta Quang Buu intersection, water reached 0.5 meters at 8.30 p.m. and 10 minutes later, a flash flood from Hai Van Mountain gushed into the area. The Hai Van Tunnel is now closed.
 |
|
Water fills the Dien Bien Phu – Nguyen Tri Phuong underpass. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong |
At the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham and Le Duan streets in Thanh Khe District, about 30 cars were left in the middle of the road. The water was about a meter high and the current was strong.
 |
|
Cars on the flooded Nguyen Van Linh Street in Thanh Khe District, Da Nang. Photo by VnExpress/Da Nang |
Rescue forces mobilized two specialized vehicles and dozens of soldiers to support people, mainly helping them cross roads and avoid the water. Only firetrucks were moving in the area, since the engines of most vehicles had stalled.
The water was flowing strongly after the rain stopped and the water level had stopped rising.
Cars were left in the middle of flooded roads. Video by Nguyen Dong
Strong winds of 50-74 kilometers per hour are expected in the sea off the central provinces from Quang Tri to Phu Yen Friday night and early Saturday morning, said Nguyen Van Huong, head of the weather forecast department under the National Centre for Hydro - Meteorological Forecasting.
Da Nang and Quang Nam beaches would experience 29-49 kph winds while mainland winds could reach 50-61 kph.
Heavy rainfall of 300-400mm is likely to continue in central provinces until late Sunday at most places, with some locations bearing the brunt of 600mm. Flash floods and landslides could occur, meteorologists have warned.
Chau Van An and nearly 10 residents call out for help while standing on top of a flooded car. They have been there since 7 p.m., caught on the way back from work.
"All the smartphones we have are out of battery, except for mine which have a few percent left. I have been trying to reach rescue operators but cannot. No one has eaten anything."
The strong downpour has left the entire city flooded, local reports say.
Many residents of Hoang Van Thai and Trung Nu Vuong streets have sent SOS messages on social media, especially about children and the elderly who could not be evacuated in time.
Da Nang residents stuck on flooded roads. Video by VnExpress/Van An
The Da Nang traffic police department has mobilized the maximum number of people and rescue vehicles possible to support people in flooded areas.
They have guided and regulated traffic, prevented vehicles from entering flooded roads and guided them to other routes.
In deeply flooded areas, traffic police have also helped evacuate children and the elderly to higher areas.
 |
|
Traffic police push a car with a dead engine out of the water. Photo by Da Nang Police |
Non-stop rain from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. has flooded most roads in the city including key roads like Le Duan, Nguyen Van Linh and Hung Vuong with water going as high as 0.5 meters.
Water has risen to 0.8 meters at the Thac Gian and Vinh Trung Lakes, and flooded many homes in the vicinity.
In many streets people were seen leaving behind their cars and motorbikes. Some left work at 5 p.m. but had not been able to get home by 8 p.m. with many roads completely flooded.
 |
|
Several people were pushed off their motorbikes by waves caused by passing cars, October 14, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong |
